Michael Gudinski talks new Music From The Home Front album

“Believe me, I’m fucking living for Australian music as I always have.”

When the virtual cameras were rolling for Music From The Home Front, Michael Gudinski was seated in the control room at Nine’s studios in Melbourne.

The famed music executive was under strict instruction from television producers to keep quiet, with his headphones on, allowed only to speak “if there was a fuck up”.

Talking to TMN prior to the special, Gudinski said the event was about bringing the country together, to honour the Anzacs and workers on the frontline of the coronavirus response.

By all reports, the undertaking was as ambitious as it was necessary. The final product proved a hit with viewers, securing a national peak audience of almost 1.5 million Australians.

Music From The Home Front was the most-watched show on April 25, even surprising the top brass at Nine, the Mushroom Group boss told TMN on Thursday.

“We had just nine days to pull together Music From The Home Front,” Gudinski said. “A show this big should take months, I am so proud of the results.”

He should be. With help from longtime friend Jimmy Barnes, the pair set to work on a lineup and series of collaborations that would surprise and delight all Australians.

“Jimmy sang the best I’ve ever heard, there were just so many special moments. I’m still running on adrenaline now with the State of Music,” Gudinski said. “My wife didn’t see me for nine days.”

Bliss n Eso and Kate Ceberano fused for a stunning version of ‘Moments’, and Delta Goodrem and Colin Hay for a rendition of the Men At Work classic ‘Down Under’.

After the broadcast was all said and done, Gudinski headed home full of adrenalin and “polished a bottle of really good red wine” to celebrate one of the proudest moments of his career.

“I was waiting up for the TV ratings, Nine never expected it to be half what it was. They took the punt and Hugh Marks believed in me. I didn’t share the lineup until the Friday,” Gudinski admits.

Over 50 artists performed songs, most of which have made their way on to a new double CD, triple vinyl and digital download for release June 19 on the Mushroom imprint Bloodlines.

Track one on the new product is a welcome speech by Michael Gudinski, followed by tracks lifted from the telecast, including Tones And I, Dean Lewis, G Flip and Lime Cordiale.

“I think when the vinyl comes, there will be people who don’t even have record players who will buy it because it was such a special thing in people’s hearts.”

All profits from Music From The Home Front are going to Support Act and both the double CD and triple vinyl are available to pre-order now.